The ECHO spoke with Jack Kelly, a journalist who covers Fulham, for the lowdown on transfer target Kenny Tete
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Kenny Tete of Fulham gestures during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on April 20, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Kenny Tete gestures during the Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage last season
(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Kenny Tete could add a new dimension to the Everton starting XI should the club get a deal for the right-back over the line. The Blues have muddled through on the right of the defence over recent seasons, patching up that area with centre-backs and midfielders through the injury struggles of specialists Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson.
There have been positive contributions, with Jake O’Brien producing a solid run of form to grow into the Premier League under David Moyes.
But if Tete moves to Merseyside - and if Everton can keep him fit - then the 29-year-old could be the answer to the longstanding issues in a key area of the pitch.
The Blues are in talks with Tete, who is currently set to leave Fulham when his contract expires at the end of the month. He had been offered a new deal at Craven Cottage but there is hope at Finch Farm that he could become the second signing of the summer for Moyes.
Should that happen, Everton would acquire an adept defender who specialises in one-on-one combat with wingers, according to journalist Jack Kelly, who covers Fulham week-in, week-out on his Patreon site.
“He is brilliant at defending, his one-on-one ability, when a winger comes at him, is fantastic,” Kelly told the ECHO.
What he had to say about Tete’s attacking intent may be of more interest to supporters, though. While centre back O’Brien adapted admirably to the right and increasingly surged forward, the Blues have long been without full-backs who have regularly got beyond their winger. Tete, in contrast, averages a shot a game.
That has partly been tactical, with Sean Dyche adopting a defensive approach during his stint at Goodison Park. It has partly been the consequence of relying on players operating out of position, too, with Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey, Ashley Young and James Garner among the other players to have been used to cover, and sometimes instead of, Coleman and Patterson.
Kelly said: “He (Tete) likes to carry the ball too, on the first night of the season he went on a mazy run at Old Trafford that ended in a shot and he really gets down that right-hand side.
“He is really good at overlapping and supporting the winger in front of him and, while he does not have incredible pace, his energy allows him to get up and down.
“He puts decent balls into the box too and he is very good on the ball, I cannot think of many mistakes during his time at Fulham.”
While not a centre-back, Tete often tucked in to offer defensive support when Fulham attacked down the left.
His anticipated departure has come as a surprise to many around the club, even though contract talks had dragged on.
On the pitch after the final game of the season, Tete told club media: “I am a proud Fulham player and hopefully we can add more years, if not I will always be in the hearts of the Fulham fans and they will also be in mine.”
Amid speculation over a potential departure there had been a belief the Netherlands international could return to former club Ajax.
The prospect of a move to a Premier League rival has caused some frustration among Fulham supporters, with many taking to social media to express disappointment over his prospective departure.
For Kelly, there is a belief a move could work for all parties, with Marco Silva looking at reducing the age of his Cottagers squad.
Tete has suffered injury problems over recent years, too, playing 22 times in the league last season after picking up a nasty impact injury at Anfield.
When fit, he was Fulham's first choice in that role.
Kelly said: “He has been here for five years and gone through relegation and promotion - scoring on the night we won the league. His relationship with supporters was good and he had a great song.
“There is surprise at the move - if he was going to leave the big rumour was that he would return to Ajax. Everton’s new stadium was probably a draw and perhaps working with David Moyes.
“I don’t begrudge him a move and most supporters with a sensible head will wish him the best.”